Sensitivity to magical energy(ies), natural and honed. Actually manifests through all senses, though sight is the primary sense through which someone understands the perceptible world, natural or otherwise…

GMIS

B

OTHER, THE / OTHERWORLD

Realms

The supernormal realm that lies contiguous to our ‘mundane’ one; also ‘Faerie’. Part-understood to exist in the unconscious or spirit of the world…

GMIS

B

DEMI-AEVUM

Realms

Technical term. Can apply both to The Other / Otherworld / Faerie and the near-Other as well.

GMIS

B

CANTRIP

Gramarye

A small or minor spell (Scots origin – Got an app for that).

GMIS

B

NEAR-OTHER

Realms

The near-Other is the closest aspect of the Other, closest not in strictly geographical terms how metaphysically deep one has gone into the Otherworld – and therefore how easy it would be to get out again… Includes the border between the ‘real’ world and the other…

GMIS

B

KOBOLOI, KOBOLDS

Races

The most generalised term for goblin-kind and their wider ‘family’; from the Greek Koboloi, Kobold(s) being used in modern-day Germany

GMIS

B

GOBLINS (GOBELINS)

Races

Ugly little blighters with low cunning. Like the Fae some of them are naturally possessed of a magical nature and abilities, but by no means all; and those without are no less dangerous with a knife instead of the hokum…

GMIS

B

FAE

Races

Generic term for the creatures of the Other, whether human-like and size or the only vaguely man-like in shape or stature. All are possessed of a magical / supernormal nature, the majority with magical capabilities of a greater or lesser degree.

GMIS

B

OTHERKIND

Races

Generic term for the creatures of the Other… (see Fae)

GMIS

B

CAER LUD

Historical / Geographical

Allegedly an old name for Lonon, dating to the time of the legendary King Lud.

GMIS

B

CAER LUNDAIN

Historical / Geographical

Allegedly an old alternative name for Lonon.

GMIS

B

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MAGICIANS

Organisation (Supernormal)

The magical authority with formal responsibility for supernormal matters in London and (the majority of) the rest of the UK as a whole. Comprised of numerous traditions and associated ones. Generally simply abbreviated to the Company. (Alt. Formal: “…of the Magicians of London”)

GMIS

B

THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALBION

Organisation (Supernormal)

Britain’s second largest organised membership body of practitioners of magic. Rather less organised and uptight next to the Company. Historically a loose association of pellars (expellers) and other magicians itinerant and locally based throughout what became the United Kingdom. Historically distinguished by apprentices being taught collections of spells / cantrips rather than distinct spheres of magic (as with the Company). Today most apprentices learn a combination, regardless of which association they come from.

GMIS

B

FOXFIRE

Gramarye

Basic spell / Cantrip – conjures a magical light. Colour can be variable but adjusted and intensity moderated with many forms. Also called wisp-light.

Poetic for a blade weapon (which would be made of iron). Generally refers to iron with a degree of purity. Good against various supernatural stuff including goblins (though it may just be that they like in the same way they don’t like a hard wooden knobbly thing with which they’re being hit).

GMIS

M

BEFUDDLEMENT

Gramarye

An enchantment that addles the mind of the target.

GMIS

M

COUNTERS

Gramarye

Defensive magical techniques that deflect a given type of magical attack

GMIS

M

SPELL-BINDINGS

Gramarye

Generally refers to subtle magical working that progressively places a limit on a target (movement, capacity to think etc) and / or enables other enchantments to be bound to that person

GMIS

M

GESTURES

Gramarye

Movements – pretty much exclusively hand movements – which assist or enable the execution of a given spell. Magician’s collectively debate whether they work as a psychological component or are objectively necessary. Pointing can be quite helpful apart from anything else.

GMIS

M

HEDGEY

Practitioners

Diminuitive of ‘hedge wizard’. Derogatory. Used by goblins.

GMIS

M

CALLING, NAME

Concept

Knowing a person or entities name can be rather handy in certain magics or spells…

GMIS

M

BLACK SHUCKS

Creature

Oversized supernatural pooches, black, sometimes with freaky red eyes. Tends to be a catch-all for ‘devil dogs’, faerie hounds and simply monstrous canines of exotic origin. There are legends the world over.

GMIS

M

TROLLS

Races

A whole other story…

GMIS

M

SPIRITS

Pneuma

Disembodied entities with at least a sliver of consciousness. Not always bad, just mostly, and usually bad news either way.

GMIS

M

ACCORDS

Realms

Binding agreements between mortal man (as represented by magicians) and the Fae…

An offensive spell which conjures and projects a purple fireball. Hot, and has a bit of welly to it. Noteably used by a few traditions, including a certain sect of necromantic cultists. Best avoided, especially if incanted by a competent and experienced practioner. If they’re not it’ll still probably knock you on your arse and singe your eyebrows – if so… well let’s leave it at best avoided. Seriously.

BFUS

B

BAALIST

Necromancy

A member of a baal cult who worship / appease and possibly summon entities from beyond

A particular baalist cult / tradition – like the People’s Front of Judea

BFUS

B

GILBOAN WITNESSES OF THE ACCURSED MOUNTAIN

Necromancy

A particular baalist cult / tradition – like the Popular People’s Front…

BFUS

B

THE HOUSE OF ASHTAROTH

Necromancy

A particular baalist cult / tradition… You get the idea.

BFUS

B

CHYMICAL

Alchemy

Westernised ‘Alchemy’ on the way to becoming modern ‘chemical’; retained only in the magical community, generally to specify compounds formed through alchemical knowledge and procedures but without active magic being used in its creation and / or magical energy or qualities being bound into its substance.

BFUS

B

DUST OF MORPHEUS

Alchemy

An alchemical preparation that causes unconsciousness, primarily through inhalation but also through prolonged exposure.

BFUS

B

HOKUM

Colloquial

Slang for magic in a general sense

BFUS

B

ENDORIANS

Necromancy

General term for members of a cult claiming its origins as being the biblical Witch of Endor, or from that region at the very least. Not wise to mention Star Wars around these guys. Not wise to be around these guys full stop. #Evil #Warped #Tossers

BFUS

B

BAALOB

Necromancy

Hebrew – A master (Baal) of spirits (Obs)

BFUS

B

BAAL

Necromancy

Hebrew – Literally ‘Master’. The honorific of rulers, the gods of ancient cities, also for the masters of many baalist cults. If any god-Baal’s existed or still do they would technically be Obs as well (spirits) and those leading their summoning would be Baal’s as well. It gets bloody confusing but that’s the least of your worries if you encounter them.

BFUS

B

YURI GELLER

Known Individual, ‘celebrity’

Psychic, self-attributed: Israeli bloke with the power to bend spoons. Appeared on the cover of tabloids with headlines like ‘I WILL CURE YOUR WATCHES’. If a dark lord’s plan for world domination involves sorcerous horology or working through your cutlery drawer call immediately.

BFUS

B

ATHAME

Implement

A blade used in rituals, a ceremonial knife

BFUS

B

KITH

Society

Non-magician but aware members of supernormal society; alternatively used as an inclusive term for magicians and aware members…

BFUS

B

WARD

Glyphics

A symbol drawn in a particular substance and imbued with magic for a desired effect, protection / apotropaic or offensive in some fashion. Note, the enchantment is of the symbol itself, not the surface on which it drawn (see Artifice, Charm / Talisman etc). Neither is it a straightforward Symbol / Glyph which may have defensive qualities on its own account and / or the substance in which it is drawn.

BFUS

B

HUSH-WARD

Glyphics

Exotic ward ‘defending’ an area from sound – thus keeping listening ears at bay and so wagging tongues still.

BFUS

B

SLING

Weapon

Used by a number of magical traditions to launch payloads of an appropriately offensive substance including alchemy and species specific banes.

BFUS

B

TELEMACHIA

Gramarye

Ranged magical offences, from the Greek ‘distance’ and ‘war’. Technically inclusive of the use of slings, crossbows, firearms, artillery, molotov cocktails and objects thrown with a likelihood of inflicting bodily harm, but generally used for magical offences such as Malachi’s Globe of Ruin.

BFUS

B

BLAST-WARD

Glyphics

A ward, by shape, substance and incantation, that is imbued with Impetus / magical force that erupts on command or with proximity.

BFUS

B

IMPETUS

Arcane Discipline

Magical knowledge and praxes dealing with raw physical force

BFUS

B

AETHERIC SHIELD

Glyphics

Conjured impetus into a barrier that can protect from physical offence, that physical effects of offence spells, and sometimes other harmful magic as well.

BFUS

B

HOBNOBS

Foodstuff

Biscuit product: kind of a flapjack/digestive hybrid. Oaty. Tasty. A lack of in a cupboard can be taken as a sign of malefic wizardy. Not incontrovertible, but still.

BFUS

B

“…THAT UNDERSTANDABLE…”

Quote

“…that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away…” – line from Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Different to William Goldman who wrote the Princess Bride (which is a lot better).

BFUS

B

WATCH

Organisation (Supernormal)

The enforcement division of the Company…

BFUS

B

GLYPH

Glyphics

Glyph and symbol, and glyph and ward can be interchangeable depending. A glyph-stone for example is not merely a symbol, but neither is it a ward in the sense of being simply of a protective or offensive nature. Glyph stones are linked by the symbols on them and the substance in which they are painted; also, unlike wards, they will affect the material itself, warming when its counterpart is set off by proximity being just one example.

BFUS

B

AETHER

General

Catch-all term for magical energy… bit like the Force. Sort of. Maybe.

Also ‘seal’ – a symbol usually having an apotropaic or binding effect on spirits…

BFUS

E

SPARK-CANTRIP

Spell

Minor spell that causes a tiny pyrurgic ignition from a distance.

BFUS

E

FUDDLE-GLYPHS

Glyphics

Glyphs that project a befuddling enchantment / hex

BFUS

E

“EXPLODED INTO…”

Quote

“…exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” – Lord of the Flies; relates to a conch (bloody big shell). Can also relate to chickens. Less ‘white’ in retrospect.

BFUS

E

ANTI-PNEUMA

Pneuma

Anti-spirit magic

BFUS

E

LYCANTHROPIC

Races

Pertaining to Lycanthropes. From Lycos (“Wolf”) and Anthropos (“Man”)

BFUS

E

CHAMBER OF PARAGNOSIS

Organisation (Supernormal)

Department of the Worshipful Company of Magicians collectively dealing with information gathering through esoteric means

PW

B

TRUTH HACK

Colloquial

Slang for Diviner

PW

B

DIVINER

Profession

Magicians (or, by extension, kith with natural aptitude) trained in and practising divination, obtaining information on the future – as well as the past and the present – through esoteric praxes.

PW

B

HAEMORRHOIDS

Medical Condition

Nasty. Avoid these.

PW

B

SCOTTISH HORSE BEASTIE

Creature

See Kelpie. Pronounce phrase with a Scots accent.

PW

B

KELPIE

Creature

See Scottish Horse Beastie. Pronunciation with Scots accent optional.

PW

B

SUB ROSA

General

Latin – Lit. Under the Rose. Secret activity generally, specifically an undertaking that is illegal in the eyes of the Company but what a magician or group of considers to be morally justified. Vigilantism that one might hope is the right thing to do given that instances of the Company dropping the ball aren’t entirely unknown. Or the bat. Or something.

The crafting of magical artefacts / items; engages with the somewhat distinct areas of charms and talismans

PW

B

MAGE

General

Shorter variant of magician. Use sparingly.

PW

B

SOMA

General

Physical components required or aiding spell-work.

PW

M

PESTILENTA HEX

Gramarye

Hex causing illness

PW

M

BLIGHT CURSE

Gramarye

Hex / Curse causing a wasting metaphysical hunger

PW

M

SHOCK HEX

Gramarye

Hex delivering an aetheric jolt to the system

PW

M

FULGAR

General

More or less lightning / electricty in wizard-speak

PW

M

MALEFICIUM

Gramarye

General term for illegal – or at least highly morally questionable and seriously unpleasant – forms of offensive magic used by maleficers, as well as unethical magicians on the sly. A term for witchcraft.

Meet Marwood…

Jobbing journeyman magician in present-day London.

He can’t throw fireballs. Doesn’t get around on a broom. He doesn’t have a cool scar on his forehead.

But when he’s not getting hassle from master alchemists and artificers or drowning his sorrows as a result, you might just find him doing what he can to sort out the crap overlooked by the big city’s Worshipful Company of Magicians.

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